Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2025 Edition

[kylenne]

We'll never really know, of course.

My guess: they're both expansion spaces but one (West) happens to have executive offices so Monsters Inc land went into the other (South) one. I feel like the Disney Animation retheme of the Launch Bay and the courtyard will help that space keep drawing guests for some years with minimal construction costs until a new phase of development, well after Monsters Inc land has opened, finally opens up this expansion space for something else.

Not just offices but there's infrastructure for the park as a whole in that area that's harder to relocate. Disney Jr is the same building as Brown Derby Club 33 and IIRC also has the main cast cafeteria in it. It's not as simple as just knock it down and rebuild.

 

[nuts]

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https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/new-walt-disney-exhibits-on-main-street-disneyland/

Not sure what to think...

 

[JoJoGirl]

We now have our answer for "what are they going to do with Launch Bay and Animation Courtyard?". BOTH shutting down in 2026 (along with Disney Jr. Play and Dance) for an experience called "The Magic of Disney Animation".

This is wonderful news! DHS desperately needs more indoor time-filling attractions, and I loved the old animation tour. Looking forward to seeing this new spin on it (and enjoying the A/C break on a hot day!)

From the concept art, it looks as if the archway entrance to the Animation Courtyard might be going away. Am I seeing that right? That would change HS central landscape a bit.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

From the concept art, it looks as if the archway entrance to the Animation Courtyard might be going away. Am I seeing that right? That would change HS central landscape a bit.

Yep. However, the good thing about this change is that the archway will be replaced by a recreation of the gates to The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.

 

[BrianL]

This is wonderful news! DHS desperately needs more indoor time-filling attractions, and I loved the old animation tour. Looking forward to seeing this new spin on it (and enjoying the A/C break on a hot day!)

From the concept art, it looks as if the archway entrance to the Animation Courtyard might be going away. Am I seeing that right? That would change HS central landscape a bit.

Yeah, I am gonna kind of miss the archway.

 

[teach22180]

Is anything going to be open when I arrive on December 8th after 2 and a 1/2 years away?
Closed-Buzz, Big Thunder, Star Wars Bay, RnRC, Dinosaur, Tom Sawyer Island and Riverboat...
Thank goodness for Test Track and Tiana and Tron! It's all about the Ts.

 

[ellbell]

Is anything going to be open when I arrive on December 8th after 2 and a 1/2 years away?
Closed-Buzz, Big Thunder, Star Wars Bay, RnRC, Dinosaur, Tom Sawyer Island and Riverboat...
Thank goodness for Test Track and Tiana and Tron! It's all about the Ts.

Dinosaur will still be open. It's not closing until early 2026

 

[nuts]

Is anything going to be open when I arrive on December 8th after 2 and a 1/2 years away?
Closed-Buzz, Big Thunder, Star Wars Bay, RnRC, Dinosaur, Tom Sawyer Island and Riverboat...
Thank goodness for Test Track and Tiana and Tron! It's all about the Ts.

And Guardians (wait, that starts with a G)

 

[fatmanatee]

Dinosaur will still be open. It's not closing until early 2026

Same with RnRC, no closure date yet but it’s sometime in 2026.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Is anything going to be open when I arrive on December 8th after 2 and a 1/2 years away?
Closed-Buzz, Big Thunder, Star Wars Bay, RnRC, Dinosaur, Tom Sawyer Island and Riverboat...
Thank goodness for Test Track and Tiana and Tron! It's all about the Ts.

I'm in the same boat, I have a big family trip in the fall with some of them not having been in over 10 years and some will be there for the first time. All of the work is sorely needed it just sucks that it's all happening at once, every month since booking last year I hear of a new closure. But, better Disney than not?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I'm in the same boat, I have a big family trip in the fall with some of them not having been in over 10 years and some will be there for the first time. All of the work is sorely needed it just sucks that it's all happening at once, every month since booking last year I hear of a new closure. But, better Disney than not?

At least the first-timers won't know what they are missing! And the ones who haven't been in so long may not remember everything and/or will be wowed by the likes of Pandora, the new trackless rides, Guardians, and Tron, hopefully.

 

[sherlockmiles]

I'm in the same boat, I have a big family trip in the fall with some of them not having been in over 10 years and some will be there for the first time. All of the work is sorely needed it just sucks that it's all happening at once, every month since booking last year I hear of a new closure. But, better Disney than not?

May work out to your advantage - less to try and accomplish, more time on the other rides/experiences, more time to appreciate the details - maybe even checkout some things that maybe you havent taken advantage of.
-read the windows on main street
-experience the side alley and listen to the tap dancing/singing lessons
-watch dapper dans
-hidden mickey hunt
-ride the train full around (if that's possible with the closure....)
-take a tour

 

[pens4821]

Is anything going to be open when I arrive on December 8th after 2 and a 1/2 years away?
Closed-Buzz, Big Thunder, Star Wars Bay, RnRC, Dinosaur, Tom Sawyer Island and Riverboat...
Thank goodness for Test Track and Tiana and Tron! It's all about the Ts.

We are planning on going late January. Hoping for RnR to still be open. If that BTM and Buzz are all closed I may consider delaying our trip. Those are three of our top maybe 5/6 re-rides while we are there. Not only that but if Tiana is like Splash was it may be closed also considering the timeframe (haven’t been in that since the change).

 

[Scalemaster34]

We are planning on going late January. Hoping for RnR to still be open. If that BTM and Buzz are all closed I may consider delaying our trip. Those are three of our top maybe 5/6 re-rides while we are there. Not only that but if Tiana is like Splash was it may be closed also considering the timeframe (haven’t been in that since the change).

Might learn more at D23... so stay tuned. But yeah isn't looking good for your top three.

 

[Madteaparty001]

May work out to your advantage - less to try and accomplish, more time on the other rides/experiences, more time to appreciate the details - maybe even checkout some things that maybe you havent taken advantage of.
-read the windows on main street
-experience the side alley and listen to the tap dancing/singing lessons
-watch dapper dans
-hidden mickey hunt
-ride the train full around (if that's possible with the closure....)
-take a tour

I would love to do these things, but DD is ASD and the crowds always seem too overwhelming when we try and stop in place. The low seasons are either too hot or disruptive to her school schedule. My sister wants to try and do the scavenger hunt in adventureland with her so we'll see how that goes, the Epcot ones always get abandoned because of the heat.

 

[chiburple]

May work out to your advantage - less to try and accomplish, more time on the other rides/experiences, more time to appreciate the details - maybe even checkout some things that maybe you havent taken advantage of.
-read the windows on main street
-experience the side alley and listen to the tap dancing/singing lessons
-watch dapper dans
-hidden mickey hunt
-ride the train full around (if that's possible with the closure....)
-take a tour

Don't forget the pirate scavenger hunt!

I'll also add that there does seem to be a dip in crowds and wait times so I think that can also make a big difference for a more pleasant trip.

 

[kylenne]

At least the first-timers won't know what they are missing! And the ones who haven't been in so long may not remember everything and/or will be wowed by the likes of Pandora, the new trackless rides, Guardians, and Tron, hopefully.

I still remember the very wild stat tossed out recently that Pandora is a new experience to a third of guests going to WDW. Those of us who go all the time or are plugged in tend to not keep in mind these things.

Unrelated but after having seen Fantastic Four tonight (which was phenomenal btw) I’m once again lamenting how we can’t legally have 98% of Marvel properties at WDW because the hopeful/optimistic retrofuturism of it would be perfect for Tomorrowland and I would lose it at sticking a Mr. Fantastic science demo in the Stitch’s Great Escape space. Heck they need to just gut the Contemporary and redo everything like it looks in the movie.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I still remember the very wild stat tossed out recently that Pandora is a new experience to a third of guests going to WDW. Those of us who go all the time or are plugged in tend to not keep in mind these things.

Unrelated but after having seen Fantastic Four tonight (which was phenomenal btw) I’m once again lamenting how we can’t legally have 98% of Marvel properties at WDW because the hopeful/optimistic retrofuturism of it would be perfect for Tomorrowland and I would lose it at sticking a Mr. Fantastic science demo in the Stitch’s Great Escape space. Heck they need to just gut the Contemporary and redo everything like it looks in the movie.

I love mid-century anything and am really looking forward to seeing the movie on Saturday! Yeah, too bad we can't have Marvel at WDW. I hope they can come to an agreement with Universal and get the rights...

And wow about the Pandora stats! Good perspective